My 15hh anglo gelding is really funny with his back legs. He overreaches, leaves his back legs behind him when grazing etc.

My problem with it is picking his feet out. I can do his front ones fine, he can be a little stropey. But his back ones... he does not pick them up, he used to, I don't know what happend :S. He doesnt get annoyed or try to kick, he just seems completely oblivious to me and what I am trying to do.

I have tryed giving him a treat and a pat after every foot and that worked for a while, until he got bored. I have also tryed taking him out of the stable where he's doesnt have any hay to distract him while im doing it, that worked for a while but only when someone is there to hold him (he unties himself).

I am worried that he may contract thrush or worse if I can't look after his feet, he may already have it but how am I going to treat it when he wont pick his feet up?

When I first got Sunny, she wouldn't pick up her back feet. Pretty much I just pushed my weight into her hip until her weight was shifted to the opposite side, then I picked it up, and sat it down without touching it, then reward. I repeated this until I could hold it as long as I wanted. Good luck.Posted via Mobile Device

When I first got Sunny, she wouldn't pick up her back feet. Pretty much I just pushed my weight into her hip until her weight was shifted to the opposite side, then I picked it up, and sat it down without touching it, then reward. I repeated this until I could hold it as long as I wanted. Good luck.Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks I will try this, im not sure he'll like it though, should be fun!

Quote:

Originally Posted by themacpack

How are you asking for him to lift it? Are you using progressive pressure/asking or maintaining the same level of pressure and quitting when ignored?

I stroke all down his side and then down his back leg, so he knows im coming. Then put pressure by holding his feathers, give and release, increasing the pressure a bit. I that fails I will give him a little nudge on the gaskin or hock. Usually he carries on eating or turns and looks at me, but that is just about all the reaction I get from from him.
I do ask him too with a short sharp 'up', I know it is me that is the problem 'coz our nearly 80 yo farrier can do it! I should be able to. I guess it is his experiance.

Definitely doesn't sound like a 'health issue' as much as it is a communication issue between you and him...try bumping his halter as you ask him to give his foot, so that he starts to back up...as he backs and lifts the foot you are asking for, lift it slightly, say good boy and give it back. It sounds like your horse just needs a bit more motivation from you TO pick up his feet...don't let him ignore you, just up the pressure and he will eventually start realizing you mean business.

Ahhh...okay, well, this doesn't sound so much as a trust issue (especially given that the farrier has no issues)...he just has learned for whatever reason that he can ignore your cue to "give" his foot to you...if you have to, have someone work with you, so that they can control his head, and ask him to back, that way all you have to do is pick up the foot, and give it back. I teach my horses to 'give' their foot with just a tap on the rear of their leg, mid cannon. If he doesn't shift his weight when you tap lightly, that is your cue to have the person ask him to back, causing him to have to shift his weight off the foot you want.

Sounds like he needs more tough love . Reward him when he does pick up his foot, but give him a solid thump on his butt when he ignores you. If he won't pick up his feet for you, MAKE HIM.

I have a thick headed Haflinger gelding who can play "dumb" quite well, similarly to your boy. I just had to get more demanding with him, followed by lots of praise and even a food treat when he performed well.

Try running your hand down the leg and lightly squeeze the ergot or chestnut he should shift his weight away from you allowing you to pick up his leg. For the first few times once he picks it up put it straight back down but on your terms. He just needs to relearn some basic manners.

Make sure he is standing in a way that allows him to balance easily with one hind leg up. That is, the leg you want to pick up should either be much more forward or backward, leaving the three remaining legs in a 'square'. If he still refuses to pick the leg up, lean into him ever so slightly to shift his weight off the designated leg, he'll get the idea.

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